Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: signed, Minnesota Vikings, Bubba Franks, St. Louis Rams, Louisville, Richard Owens
07/14 — A few months after the Buffalo Bills signed T.O., the Jets today announced the signing of R.O. That's Richard Owens.
The Jets moved quickly in replacing Bubba Franks, released Monday, on their 80-man training camp roster, announcing the signing of Owens, a big blocking tight end, late this afternoon.
Owens is a fifth-year TE, 28 years old, who checks in at 6’4” and 273 pounds. Reports at the time said he had visits with the Jets and the Bills before April's draft.
Owens entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent out of Louisville signed by Minnesota after the 2004 draft and played three seasons and 39 games (six starts) for the Vikings.
He was waived by the Vikes and signed by the St. Louis Rams on Sept. 12, 2007, and appeared in 14 games (one start) for the Rams. He was out of the NFL last season after the Rams released him on Aug. 31.
For his career, Owens has 17 catches for 141 yards (8.3-yard avg.) and one touchdown. He also has long-snapping experience.
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (51)wayne Said:
Tue, July 14, 2009 - 7:26pm ET"Good, Jets now have a BLOCKING vet TE. Between R.O. and occasionally using a reserve tackle at TE, that problem is solved.Keller will have to be a major piece in the passing game, if not THE key guy.Jets can move him all over the place and wherever they put him, they'll have a mismatch.Against anybody.This team is too young and foundation not strong enough for guys like Plax or Edwards."
Damone Said:
Tue, July 14, 2009 - 7:51pm ET"Whoever he is,i hope he's good!!Coach em up fellas!!"
Duaine Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 12:15am ET"Mr Randy I would like to know what is taking Jets so long to make a deal with Leon Washington. Its getting close to training camp approx. 2wks left. We need this to done before the camp starts to prevent any chaos."
Vincent Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 2:19am ET"I don't quite get it - maybe someone can help me out. I know Owens is younger, but why not keep Bubba who we know has skill and can block as good as any TE?? This guy doesn't seem to be any stand-out."
mr bill Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 4:17am ET"Always liked bubba but I've never seen a guy miss more time to injury than him; Bubba is just another John Abraham-pay me I'll be happy to watch the game from the best seat in the house-the sidelines-buy buy big guy"
uncle joe Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 6:45am ET"Yeh Ira,could Dearth be on the hot seat?28 years old.6'4",TWO HUNDRED AND SEVENTY THREE POUNDS,pull it on the boat it looks like a keeper!"
Ira Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 6:56am ET"Wayne. Agree and you know i feel about Keller. will be a major weapon for the Jets. But no the problem is not solved yet. RO's size is great but why was he out of football for the 08 season? Sorry if Keller were to get hurt they would be in big trouble at the TE spot. They still need a TE who can catch and block with veteran experience. I am pulling for Simmons to really grab that spot. GO JETS!!"
Ira Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 7:20am ET"Wayne, This team is not too young. It is built to win now with all the big money FA 's they signed the past 3 years and high draft picks that have turned out in most part very good. The o-line could be the best in football and the secondary is right up there too. The big question is how will a team with veterans ready to win now work with a rookie QB or another who has played only 8 games?"
Ira Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 8:35am ET"uncle joe, Maybe the new staff wants production out of the LS spot too. That would be a critical mistake. Dearth is money don't mess with the spot. I want to see what Owens can do but don't get too carried away just yet. Remember Zach Hilton who was even bigger? As for Leon i understand both sides. It will get done sooner or later. Lets hope its sooner.RO caught a TD for the Vikes on a fake FG."
jason Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 9:17am ET"RO will be a difference maker for the JETS. He's a great T/E, Long snapper and solid on special teams. Way to go JETS, great pick up. Looking forward to seeing him play! "
Kaya Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 9:25am ET"My concern here is that Mr. T is not taking care of his in grown players. Why is Leon still waiting for a contract? Mr. T and Johnson was willing and paid Favre a 12 mill salary for one yr. And he still ran away. You could use that money and paid Leon for 2 yrs!! Mr. T is the worst GM ever. You think Bill Parcel would have taken this long to signed Leon? I think not."
Mike Jet Vet Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 9:26am ET"I agree we do need a big blocking TE with experience..Why do we go after a guy who bonces from team to team & even out of football for a while..Better off starting the season with Bubba then a guy we know is unproductive...Yes we picked up some very good FA's but it's not only mark S who needs to play well with others...The new guy's need to gel & play well together to be successful GO JETS"
Row Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 10:01am ET"This is a joke. We MUST stop messing around and get someone that can start. If TE was such a priority two years ago, why aren't we getting anyone solid? Why didn't we draft one? Remember the Heath Miller debacle? The Jets thought Doug Jolley was better then him. Absurd. I want Mr. T to stand up, get us some talent on O. Right now we are a 3 and out offense with an overpaid rookie QB. Go jets"
Old Rogue Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 10:49am ET"@JASON - 'RO will be a difference maker for the JETS. He's a great T/E, Long snapper and solid on special teams.' I don't want to dis the guy Jason, but there is nothing - absolutely NOTHING - in his background or stats that could lead you to make such a statement. He didn't even play last year."
Ira Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 10:52am ET"Seems like we all have lots of ? about issues right now. Camp is days away and its going to be great and this team could be a PO team if things break right for them. Kaya the CBA deal has held up Leon's new deal. Its not Mr. T's fault and it will get done at some point. Mike, Bubba can't be 100% healthy otherwise they would have kept him. If Owens doesn't work out there will be a signing of a TE."
Patrick from PA Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 11:16am ET"This is a joke, should have kept baker. Look at the guys we have playing TE besides Keller. Colleges have better depth at TE than we do."
Tuck Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 11:30am ET"He is the all around player. Check his stats out of college. Good speed, power and hands. A great value to any team. "
Hogan Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 11:36am ET"I am sorry but Bubba is done. The staff knows it so lets se what this guy has, but personaly I think Simmons and/or Bullock would be a Better gamble."
Charlie D Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 12:09pm ET"Randy, I think we need to sign Leon Washington ASAP! He is a true "game breaker" and is an excellent all around RB. He is always a thret to score TDs. Sign Leon, Sign Leon. Anyone agree or disagree. Ira what do you think? "
Ira Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 12:37pm ET"I did some #'s on Leon. Last year he avg 12.4 touches per game including PR and KR. 4.7 rushes per and 2.9 catches per game. 3 KO per and 1.8 PR. Leon needs to get about 15-18 touches per game less the PR. He wants 6 mill per which is what a #1 RB gets who gets about 25 touches per. So i would say after the guaranted $ is figured in his new deal with avg about 4 to 5 mill per season."
Ray Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 12:47pm ET"Oh boy was I wrong! I didn't think they had a plan when they cut Franks. You guys are right I guess ANYONE will do. I hear they're scouring construction sites and steelmills across the country. They figure there has to be more like him out there! Whew I'm relieved! PROBLEM SOLVED!!"
wayne Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 1:22pm ET"If the Jets offense is ineffective this year, it won't be because Chris Baker is in N.E.,please, no more tears over a lost blocking TE.Every body leaves and every team moves on.Protect your biggest investment(QB),run the ball, boring as that might be, use a lot of trickeration(pls, enough with the wlldcat) and make season fun while we develop this QB...DEVELOP A PROGRAM HERE, once and for all."
OriginalJetFan Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 1:54pm ET" can't see this as an answer, 2007 he was behind no names at St louis, he was even listed on their rosteras a Full back. i just take from this that the kareem brown experiment is over. "
Duaine Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 2:49pm ET"I hope R O works out for the team. Also I agree Mr T needs to handle this situation with Leon I wonder if he saw the clip on NFL network when they said that Leon is in the top 5 return specialist. Lets get this done soon Mr T we dont want to snooze u lose. If he bcomes a free agent next yr he might want to stay withe Jets. Lets b proactive !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
jet80 Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 3:27pm ET"I agree with Ira on this.The real TE vet has not stood up.RO might be a good backup for the team but they have not signed their starter yet.Keller we all know will be in the slot or at wr 95% of the games.Most vets wont even sign till camp is done and preseason is underway,they want to skip as much as they can.Simmons too has a real good shot at TE or aleast a spot on the team,id take em over RO"
wayne Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 3:33pm ET"Ira, I agree, but the foundation of this team is not the older guys, in my opinion, but rather, guys like Sanchez, Mangold, Brick,Gholston,Revis....If you think this team can really do anything special in the short term with a big question at the most important position, I think you're in for a big letdown.Anything above 500 will be a bonus.The core of this team is young and developing."
Dave Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 4:01pm ET"You have a great TE in Dustin Kellar why not utilize him as much as possible. He proved his with worth with Farve as QB as a rookie so no he can be a day today gamer."
Jets Fan Since '64 Tom Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 7:38pm ET"Wayne, I'm with you on youth. (Ira, I'm with you on most of the rest.) Watch those older FAs get phased out over the next few years without any more than a playoff game or two if that. I've been watching the Jets since we had Wood and Taliaferro at QB so I get the frustration over constant rebuilding. But it's still the only way to develop not just a good team but a dynasty-worthy franchise."
Ira Said:
Wed, July 15, 2009 - 9:48pm ET"Wayne, Good point but lets be honest Woody and Faneca have 2 good season left in them if they stay healthy. Ellis, Douglas and Jenkins are all over 30 years old. Pace and Thomas are approaching 30 yrs old also. So its a mixed bag between youth and older players. I don't care who plays QB this team is built to win now and anything less than 9-10 wins is not good. Keep the faith. GO JETS!!!!"
bobbyd Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 12:34am ET"Am I the only one who sees the Franks release as the final tribute to Brett; watch the Vikings take him within the week!!!!!"
Ira Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 6:54am ET"Dave, Yes Keller is going to be a top TE. I expect 70 plus catches from him this year. And Schotty will use him in many different ways just like SD uses Gates. But the reality of it is he is not a strong blocker [no disrepect] and doesn't have the size to push the pile. But that's ok. He wasn't drafted for that reason. He was drafted to be that hybrid TE that causes mismatches."
Ira Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 8:05am ET"Just a few more #'s to through out there. TJ who is the featured back and had a Pro Bowl season last year touched the ball 41.2% of the total offensive plays. While Leon touched the ball 15.9% without returns. Without factoring in Greene this year i think it has to be more of a 30-35% for TJ and 25% for Leon. That would be my goal to get more production out of Leon. Its easier said than done."
Tom Spicer Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 9:12am ET"Just a blocker nothing more not a big deal."
Row Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 10:09am ET"Tom and others, this isn't the Kotite years. We have consistantly made a mark at the playoffs, but had trouble with coaching as of recent. We were 9-7 last year, a few pick 6's and a some balls Coles should have caught and we were 11-5 easy. I can't believe we lost to the Seahawks. We are NOT rebuilding, that's hogwash. #1 running back in the AFC, one of the best D's vs the run. WIN NOW COACH!"
carmine Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 11:42am ET"Thats nice and all but the front office needs to worry about the best player on the team..LEON WASHINGTON!!! Pay that man!! you give sanchez all that damn money and someone who has been making huge plays since he been in the league only making hal-a-mil man please!! Leon is super explosive give him his money "
Anonymous Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 1:52pm ET"Good pick up even though I did like Bubba. Randy, why won't the Jets just sign Leon already? I really hope they don't do something stupid and let him go."
Jets Fan Since '64 Tom Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 2:39pm ET"Row, you look at the five best players we got (let's say Leon, Mangold, Revis, Rhodes, and Scott) and the more than five you hope will become great (Sanchez, Greene, Slauson, Stuckey, Clowney, Gholston, Westerman, Lowery, Leonard, and more), they're all very young. That's called rebuilding. Yeah, with a few breaks we could've made the playoffs last year -- anddoneabout as well as Miami did."
dan greco Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 4:13pm ET"I think missing Pace the first 4gms is huge!Everone knows the schedule besides houston there really isnt a break till oakland wk 7 we Need a Quick Start!! Not having Pace,WR is a ? and still not close w Leon! ijust hope we start well! iI hope you can work your magic coach you have a full plate!"
wayne Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 4:22pm ET"The most important position in Pro Football is the QB position.Only 4 count em 4 have stepped out of college and done well FOUR. And you guys are talking SB with a Rookie QB with 16 college games under his belt....I'm gonna lower my expectation and hope mgt is smart enough to try to do this right.Maybe then Jets won't have 1yr and two down over the next 40years."
wayne` Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 4:31pm ET"I totally agree that Leon should get his money, but it may be wiser for the team to wait him out. What's he gonna do, not perform?If he performs, the Jets or some other team will show him the money.If it comes down to it, Jets can match the offer or get comp, whichever is in Jets' best interest.In the end he'll get his money and Jets get his productivity.He's not maurice Jones Drew.He's a scatbak"
Mike Jet Vet Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 7:06pm ET"If I hear were rebuilding once more I'm going to puke .. Sign leon & get 1 of these QBs ready start winning this year no more excuses ,, Rebuilding since 69 enough already "
Damone Said:
Thu, July 16, 2009 - 10:26pm ET"If thats rebuilding then almost evry team in the NFL must be constently doing that because all team have young great talent they draft every year and they all get some undrafted talent.Just because we have young guys doesn't mean we're not gonna be good.I want a great front office and an even better coaching staff!!! "
Ira Said:
Fri, July 17, 2009 - 7:09am ET"Wayne, 2010 will be an uncapped year. The CBA rules would be differenten for 4th year players. Leon would then be a RFA in 2010. Then the Jets could keep him with a qualifying offer that would be much less than a long term deal.And at 17,000 per day he will not holdout long if he does at all. This will get done at some point. Lets hope it doesn't cause any bad feelings. Leon deserves his deal."
Ira Said:
Fri, July 17, 2009 - 7:19am ET"dan greco, I warn you don't look past the Texans. They are one of my picks for a WC if their defense can take the next step. M.Williams has more sacks then any other player in the NFL in the past two years. Okoye is ready for a breakout year and Ryans is one of the top 3 MLB in the NFL. Plus their offense ranked #3 last year. Johnson, Walter, Daniels and Slaton are all dangerous. 1 game at a time."
Ira Said:
Fri, July 17, 2009 - 7:33am ET"Wayne, The Jets have had one of the more successful teams the past 12 seasons. 5 PO years,2 Div Titles,and only 3 losing years in which Chad missed most or all of 2 of them. Yeah i know they haven't won the big prize but they've had lots of success and it will only continue to get better. Hopefully soon they will be playing in the big game. GO JETS!!!!!"
Jets Fan Since '64 Tom Said:
Fri, July 17, 2009 - 1:54pm ET"Sorry, Damone, almost every NFL team is NOT doing that kind of rebuilding. Many pick up lots of has-been FAs and pay them a fortune they don't deserve. Others won't put the QB job in the hands of anyone who hasn't played, and often lost, for four or five teams. The Jets have done it this way too many times which is one big reason, Mike Jet Vet, you've been waiting since '69 for another SB win.."
richnyjfan Said:
Sat, July 18, 2009 - 1:18am ET"Ira...you took the words right out of my mouth.dont sleep on the texans. also agree with you about the leon signing process. lets be honest, players demand high and the front office offers low. leon is a keeper and they know that but they will use any kind of leverage to keep the bottom line as low as possible. Keep the faith alive jets fans...we will see the playoffs this year."
RockyB Said:
Sat, July 18, 2009 - 7:40pm ET"This is one signing you dont have to worry about. Richard Owens will be an assist to the community and the team. He has done everything that he was asked to do by the teams he played for. And will be a great addition to the team."
Big O Said:
Mon, July 20, 2009 - 4:43pm ET"Randy, How come my latest comment about this transaction was not posted, I dont think I said anything offensive! However I do feel that I told the truth, and I will state it again, "If aint broke dont fix it" not saying that we cant improve but I think we are making poor choices in this area in finding a good tight end. We shouldn't have traded Chris Baker, and now he will be a nightmare!"
Randy Lange Said:
"Big O, we never saw your first comment here. But you stated it well again."
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DUSTINKELLER81: My restaurants are in Charlesron and Myrtle Beach..they are called McAlisters Deli..and no that's not where Drew got his crab cake
about 1 hour ago
jayfeely: The last 8 teams standing in 09 season are restricted to only signing FA to replace FA lost. Jets wont lose many FA and no big money onesabout 2 hours ago
Ira Said:
Tue, July 14, 2009 - 6:54pm ET"I wish Owens the best of luck but sorry i don't buy it. He is not going to replace Baker. I still think the starting TE/blocker is not on the roster yet. And please lets not even think Owens will replace Dearth. That would be a huge mistake."
Offensive Comment?